Boag’s baby

Posted on October 21, 2013

Yesterday Erin Boag, the longest-serving female dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, confirmed that she was pregnant with her first child. Writing on her blog, Erin said: “I can’t keep it covered up any longer… There’s been much speculation about my absence from this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, but I can now reveal the real reason why I turned down appearing on this year’s show… Yes, I’m truly excited and delighted to say… I’m pregnant!

“My husband Peter and I are expecting the arrival of our first child in the spring of next year. It’s such a relief to be able to tell all, as it’s been ‘strictly mum’s the word’ these past few months! Another reason for being so quiet is that I have been battling with terrible morning sickness – I don’t know why it’s called ‘morning’ sickness as I had it morning, noon and night!!!”

Erin continued to say that, before the baby arrives, she will be performing with her dance partner Anton Du Beke at the Royal Albert Hall in Anton and Erin’s Christmas Cracker – “I’m sure those gorgeous gowns might need a bit of letting-out by then!”

She added: “Anton and I already have bookings in place for next year, and I’m particularly delighted to say we’re planning a big come-back tour for 2015! So there’s plenty to look forward to, as you all now know – especially the pitter-patter of tiny feet too.”

Next year, Anton will tour the UK with his new solo showBallroom To Broadway, in which he will be joined on stage by special guest Summer Strallen.

Nicola Rayner was editor of Dance Today from 2010 to 2015. She has written for a number of publications including The Guardian, The Independent and Time Out Buenos Aires, where she cut her teeth as a dance journalist working on the tango section. Today she continues to dance everything from ballroom to breakdance, with varying degrees of success. Her debut novel, The Girl Before You, is out in May 2019.